Drummer, from the Occupations of Women series (N502) for Frishmuth's Tobacco Company 1889

Curator: Here we have "Drummer, from the Occupations of Women series (N502) for Frishmuth's Tobacco Company," a chromolithograph from 1889. The Met houses it now. Editor: Gosh, she looks like she's about to burst into a very spirited tavern song. All that youthful energy barely contained! And that peculiar patchwork drum! Curator: Yes, there is an effervescence. Formally, the composition adheres to the demands of its purpose; as an advertisement, the subject is frontally arranged. We note the balanced asymmetry and deliberate contrasts that lead to heightened visual intrigue. Editor: She’s like a wood nymph who traded her glade for the open road, armed with nothing but a drum and an unwavering smile. The costume feels vaguely theatrical too, like she’s stepped right out of a play. I love how the artist captured that sense of playful defiance. Curator: The artist, anonymous as is typical with these commercial works, masterfully uses color theory. See how the crimson skirt anchors the composition, balanced against the cool blues of the bodice and background. The precise line work and flat planes adhere to the stylistic conventions of popular decorative art in that era. Editor: Makes you wonder what stories she could tell, not just about the places she’s been, but the times she's seen. It’s a whimsical little portal back to 1889. This lone drummer—a traveling oracle who leaves music, laughter, and maybe just a little bit of hope in her wake. I am sure, after all, that the tobacco industry chose her for those traits and values that were supposed to stand for. Curator: Indeed. Examining this work reveals a fascinating nexus between commerce, artistry, and gender representation at the close of the nineteenth century. Editor: It's a neat glimpse into the spirit of a time—an audacious little beat.